KnowledgeBeat was founded in the U.S. by a group of childhood friends with a passion and commitment to the global community. Their inspiration came from life experiences that showed them how vital education is to one’s future as well the inadequacy of educational opportunities available to children in the developing world. KnowledgeBeat’s approach is based on their desire to use the tremendous resources that have been made available to them throughout their lives to touch the lives of children in Africa and enable them to take charge of their future. To turn their vision into a reality, they partnered with a vibrant, retired teacher in Zambia whose passion and talents made him the perfect person to forge the birth of KnowledgeBeat’s programs in Zambia. Together they have built an organization that is bridging cultural divides, strengthening the global community, and most importantly empowering children in Zambia to change the world as they know it.Â
“I went to Zambia for the first time an idealistic college graduate with a passion for environmentalism and conservation. I left with fresh perspective derived from first-hand experience. The trade-offs between environmental conservation and quality of life took on a new meaning. Watching children go to school and sit in empty classrooms listening to teachers speak from memory alone opened my eyes to a reality far removed from the one I had known. The absence of resources was heartbreaking, yet the spirit of the children, the teachers and the community was inspiring. I came to believe that lasting change would only occur if it came from within and that a glaring impediment to this in Africa is inadequate education. Through KnowledgeBeat I am able to begin to turn this belief into action by helping empower new generations of Africans to build a sustainable future.” -Annie Hazlehurst
“Growing up I watched my younger twin sisters overcome developmental disabilities that caused significant hurdles in their ability to learn. Over time and with the help of many dedicated teachers, the challenges that my sisters faced evolved into academic achievements and graduations from elementary school, high school and soon, college. Each success furthered my own belief that education is the foundation to a full life and a natural human right. As I traveled through the developing world, first in India and then Africa, my passion for education crystallized further as I saw not only what education could do for an individual but also what it could do for a community and a nation. As a member of the KnowledgeBeat team I am honored to watch as education transforms the lives of each student and impacts the future of a country and our global community.” -Sarah Mintz
“I was lucky enough to have grown up in a family and in a community where education was esteemed, supported, and embraced. My dad always taught me that education was the most important gift I could be given, and that once I had an education, I could effect change. Through that, I have learned that over time an inherent appreciation for education stems from a deep rooted belief in its lifetime value; a value system that starts first and foremost with parents. Classroom attendance and participation in our programs is increasing and we are finding that Ngoma’s community is getting involved. That alone is positive change. I am thrilled to be a part of an organization that holds education and community involvement in such a high regard and I believe that a solid foundation in education will be just the beginning for a sustainable future for the children of Ngoma.” -Margaret Word
